Philips HF3480 Bulb (a fluorescent replacement?)

[foreverepic]

The Philips HF3480 has a non-replaceable bulb. However, since the light cost over $100, I'm curious if I can replace it anyway.

I've posted some pictures below. The light has an adjustable wide range of intensity. At all levels, (1-20), I've measure the voltage at 2.15V. The bulbs appear to be fluorescent tubes. They are glued into the bulb mount, but I'm thinking I could wire up and mount a different bulb if I could locate a reasonable replacement. Any ideas if there are suitable replacements?








Any help is appreciated

[Ken_McE]

Something must change as the brightness changes, no? 2.1 volts might be suitable for running some LEDs. The stock fluorescent cannot be replaced, but are there any other bulbs that are similar? Feeling adventurous?

[foreverepic]

You're certainly right, something must change. Not sure if it could be a duty cycle if there is constant voltage? I only measured on one of the red wires. When I get home tonight, I'm going to investigate the orange wire (visible in the third picture). Adventurous? Sure. I'm interested in learning and salvaging my wake-up light. I'll post any other characteristics I can discover that might clue us into a suitable alternative. Thanks for the reply. Again, any insight is appreciated.

[foreverepic]

My simple multimeter isn't telling me much about the orange wire, but I look at trying one of these bulbs: http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/...pdf/p-5295.pdf

More specifically, I think it may be this bulb: http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/4629/FC26-P26153.html

[Ken_McE]

They sure do look right. Can you buy or salvage a base for it and solder the base into your light? I must say that I am puzzled about how they can gracefully dim a fluorescent tube. If you figure this out you'll be a hero to thousands of other wake-up light owners.

[foreverepic]

Updated: The new bulb came in and I installed it. Works great. Took a while to get the old bulb out, but it all went back together good and is working.